Transfer news: Chelsea ready to pay-off Michael Essien's contract to speed up AC Milan switch - reports

Blues willing to pay Essien a lump some to speed up move to AC Milan

Chelsea ready to pay-off Michael Essien's contract to speed up AC Milan switch (Getty Images)

Chelsea are prepared to give Michael Essien a considerable pay-off to convince him to move to AC Milan as they look to strengthen in other areas - specifically with the signing of Liverpool target Mohamed Salah.

Essien spent last season on loan at Real Madrid, under current Blues boss Jose Mourinho, but is out-of-favour at Stamford Bridge as the Portuguese looks to lower the age of his squad.

Milan made an approach to sign the Ghanaian earlier in the week but, as it stands, there is no deal to be done as Essien is reluctant to leave London.

One reason, other than an obvious affinity with the Stamford Bridge personnel, could be the heft contact which the Blues are tied up to.

According to the Metro, they are ready to pay off the remainder of 31-year-old’s contract – as an incentive to complete a move to the San Siro.

Essien’s agent has since travelled to Italy to try and thrash out a deal with new boss Clarence Seedorf – who wants to bolster his midfield options.

Meanwhile Mourinho has launched an audacious late £11m bid for FC Basel forward Salah despite a move to Liverpool appearing to be a formality.

The Portuguese manager has previous after out-manoeuvring former Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre-Villas Boas to secure the £30m acquisition of Willian last summer.

If Essien does leave, he will be the latest Chelsea star to be cleared out by Mourinho following Kevin de Bruyne and the imminent departure of Juan Mata.